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University of Toronto physicists identify ‘octupolar’ magnetism, with implications for quantum technologies

Physicists at University of Toronto have identified 'octupolar' magnetism, a complex form of magnetism with eight poles, using light to probe atomic vibrations. This discovery opens up new avenues for quantum technology development, including controllable memory elements and computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2026

Printing with ice

Researchers have developed a method to print three-dimensional structures in ice using evaporative cooling, which also regulates body temperature. The technique allows for printing arbitrary profiles without additional support, with applications in biology and microfluidics.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Electrifying discoveries: Researchers film the first moments on the way from light to electricity

Researchers successfully film the generation of electrical energy from light, providing a fundamental understanding of the physical processes involved in organic solar cells. The study, published in Physical Review X, reveals the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of excitons in the first moments of their existence.

SourceUniversity of Graz·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

A quantum lab for molecules

Scientists have developed a technique to measure the spectrum of a single molecule without destroying it. By using quantum information processing, they were able to detect the absorption of individual photons and identify a characteristic molecular vibration. This breakthrough enables precise spectroscopy of complex molecules and paves...

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2026

A look inside stars and planets

A research team has produced the first experimental verification of a theoretically predicted flow state in the interiors of rapidly rotating celestial bodies. The experiment replicated the physical processes that occur in stars and planets, providing a robust experimental basis for testing theoretical models.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 26, 2026

Towards the goal of controlling individual electrons

A German research team has successfully generated stable laser pulses in the femtosecond range, allowing for the manipulation of individual electrons. The team's achievement enables the stability of the electric field oscillations across a wide range of timescales, from microseconds to hours.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalApplied Physics B·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

One experiment maps multiple isotopes exhibiting pygmy excitations

Researchers measured high-energy gamma-ray emissions from unstable curium nuclei produced in fission, providing insights into pygmy resonances and the fission process. The study's results enable reliable comparisons of gamma-ray emissions across isotopes, aiding nuclear theorists in improving models describing fission dynamics.

Scientists unveil technique to build ultra-thin material stacks that promise quantum breakthrough

Researchers unveiled a technique to build ultra-clean 2D heterostructures using muscovite crystals, eliminating microscopic residues that disrupt electronic device performance. This method enables precise stacking of atomic layers, leading to new properties and potential breakthroughs in quantum computing and nanoelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

Physicists identify upper limit to resistivity in a pure metal

Researchers discovered a maximum amount of electrical resistance that can occur due to electron collisions, offering insights into what causes resistivity at the microscopic level. The study found that when interactions between atoms become too strong, the resistivity caused by collisions eventually stops rising and saturates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Magnon momentum microscopy: A new window into nanoscale spin-wave physics

Researchers developed a new method to observe nanoscale spin waves, directly detecting short-wavelength magnons using resonant soft X-rays. The technique, called magnon momentum microscopy (MMM), reveals strong nonlinear interactions and four-magnon scattering processes in magnetic materials.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers develop sustainable wastewater-powered electricity generator system

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers developed a droplet-based energy harvesting technology that converts secondary wastewater effluents into electricity. The system achieved high output performance and successfully powered LED lights, demonstrating its practical energy harvesting capability.

SourceEditorial Office of Journal of Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology reveal new mixing guidelines for dense suspensions

Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed new guidelines for mixing dense suspensions, reducing impeller speed and energy requirements. The study's findings suggest that placing the impeller near the solid-liquid interface improves energy efficiency in baffled conditions.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

It takes two combs to tango

Dual-comb spectroscopy enables precise, rapid, and broadband measurements using two optical frequency combs with slightly different repetition frequencies. This technique has been implemented across the electromagnetic spectrum, from terahertz to visible range, with ongoing efforts towards ultraviolet range.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Reviews Methods Primers·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

Invisible magnets for faster IT

A Japanese-German research consortium is developing invisible magnets that can manipulate antiferromagnets ultrafast using intense light pulses. This approach has the potential to increase processing speed by a factor of 1,000, revolutionizing optical communication and information technology.

SourceUniversity of Augsburg·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2026

From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms

The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.

A complex ion in focus

Researchers investigated energy shifts in 173Yb+ ions, combining experiment and theory to uncover the nucleus's magnetic field distribution. The study provides an experimental foundation for precise clocks and fundamental physics tests using complex ions like Yb+.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2026

Synchronising ultrashort X-ray pulses

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have successfully implemented mode-locking to generate coherent trains of X-ray pulses with unprecedented temporal structure. This achievement enables attosecond science and opens up new experimental possibilities, including precise timing of phenomena in gases, liquids, and solids.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 7, 2026

AI learns to build simple equations for complex systems

A new AI framework uncovers simple, understandable rules governing complex dynamics in nature and technology. The AI generates equations that accurately describe complex systems, revealing hidden variables that govern their behavior. This approach offers scientists a new way to leverage AI for understanding complex systems.

SourceDuke University·Journalnpj Complexity·DateDec 17, 2025

Atomic Josephson junctions: How Bose-Einstein condensates replicate Shapiro steps

Researchers simulated the Josephson effect using ultracold atomic gases and observed characteristic Shapiro steps, confirming its universality. The findings enable the study of quantum effects in atomic systems, paving the way for 'atomtronics' and potential applications in quantum computing and medical diagnostics.